Those of you wondering about media format support on BlackBerry 10 need worry no longer. A friend of mine asked me what sort of support RIM would provide as a media player so I dug into it. After looking at RIM’s public documentation on media (audio/video/images) support on BlackBerry 10 and it seems like they have taken the best of the PlayBook and BlackBerry OS 7. I was worried when the audiophile FLAC and OGG codecs were not supported on the PlayBook but RIM has brought them back with BlackBerry 10. They are also packing the less mainstream but useful formats including MKV and AAC.
Check out the full listing of BlackBerry 10 media support here and a comparison list here.
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1145
Posted: November 29, 2012 at 2:06 PM EST
No mention of DTS or Dolby… I wonder if those can be installed by apps like we can do on Android.
RICO Not Registered
Posted: November 29, 2012 at 2:40 PM EST
Awesome! I’m glad they’re adding more CODEC support cause currently the support is very poor to say the least. I only wish they added flv as well.
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1145
Posted: November 29, 2012 at 5:03 PM EST
There are apps in BB World which can play flv files already
BBA Brian ( View Profile) - Posts: 1219
Posted: November 29, 2012 at 3:29 PM EST
I needs my AC3!!!!
nyet Not Registered
Posted: November 29, 2012 at 3:34 PM EST
AC3 please!
maxknux ( View Profile) - Posts: 93
Posted: November 29, 2012 at 9:19 PM EST
This is good to hear more codec support.
shanzha ( View Profile) - Posts: 2
Posted: November 29, 2012 at 9:49 PM EST
Awesome! Flac, ape?
wafguy Not Registered
Posted: November 29, 2012 at 11:25 PM EST
Want AC3?
Go here: https://developer.blackberry.com/devzone/develop/supported_media/bb10_media_support.html and scroll down.
Go here: https://twitter.com/wafguy/status/256427084640026626
Be happy.
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1145
Posted: November 30, 2012 at 6:59 AM EST
I hope they’ve implemented HDMI passthru and that they don’t downstream AC3
BBA Brian ( View Profile) - Posts: 1219
Posted: December 2, 2012 at 10:55 AM EST
you are right. they don’t list it under the main audio formats supported, but, when you scroll down its in the detailed list
that is AMAZING news
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1145
Posted: December 2, 2012 at 11:35 AM EST
The only supported container listed is MKA. Let’s hope they just forgot to add MKV
RICO Not Registered
Posted: December 1, 2012 at 10:05 PM EST from my BlackBerry PlayBook | OS 2.1.0
@Ofutur- I know there are and as a matter of fact I bought one but why should we have to use an app for something that should already be standard on a tablet! I totally agree with everyone else too, they should include AC3 & FLAC.
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3331
Posted: December 2, 2012 at 10:44 AM EST
AC3 is owned by Dolby and as you can tell from many other players they are a real bi*** to deal with. If you look on practically every other mobile platform they have removed AC3 support due to lawsuits. Very few have tried adding it back as an added cost addon
BBA Brian ( View Profile) - Posts: 1219
Posted: December 2, 2012 at 10:53 AM EST
I would pay for AC3 support. I don’t understand why Dolby doesn’t try to actively monetize the codec.
The only reason they would be hesitant is that the movie/tv industry knows that the video pirate community has transitioned to AC3 standards. This has been a smooth transition for the PC users; however, clearly the mobile market has been blocked access for a reason. Dolby may be getting pressure not to allow the mobile market to be able to readily view pirated movies that are now under the AC3 standard as it would cause an even great explosion of pirating.
ofutur ( View Profile) - Posts: 1145
Posted: December 2, 2012 at 11:43 AM EST
Are you sure about that? Per example you need a licence to encode DTS, but you can play it freely. My media player on Android even plays DTS-MA.
Someone just needs to port ffmpeg to QNX/ARM, it already compiles on QNX/X86
Ronen Halevy ( View Profile) - Posts: 3331
Posted: December 3, 2012 at 9:16 AM EST
AC3 is a tricky one. They have been hammering any mobile app that dares support it.
Jeff Not Registered
Posted: December 16, 2012 at 9:59 PM EST from my BlackBerry PlayBook | OS 2.1.0
Thank you RIM. Supporting advanced audio codecs like FLAC allows those serious about audio to enjoy their music on their BlackBerry device. BlackBerry 10 is to be a mobile computing platform. May it support professional high end standards that professionals demand! This is your time to shine!